Phu Tho Racecourse in Ho Chi Minh City was set up in 1932 and is regarded as the first horse racing track in Vietnam. Racing stopped in 1975 and restarted in 1989. A day at the races offers city residents and visitors a chance to relax and enjoy themselves in an exciting and fun atmosphere. To get the most from the opportunity, however, pick a horse and put some money down as a bet to try your luck.
The jockeys lead the horses around the area in front so that the audience can see the horses before making bets. There are three ways of betting. You can either place a bet on the horse that you think will win, or bet on the horses coming first and second, or bet on the horses coming first, second and third. Each betting ticket costs VND10,000 and those betting, called punters, are not restricted in the number of tickets they take. To help their success, the punters usually buy pairs of contrary tickets. For instance, if they bet on the horses numbered 2 and 4 they will buy two tickets: 2-4 and 4-2. Each person usually buys dozens of tickets in the hope of winning a big amount as the prize money is shared out for all the winning tickets.
Hopes quickly dashed
The excitement at the racecourse rises when the organizers say they will close the ticket booths in two minutes. More people rush to buy the final tickets. Then the jockeys lead the horses to the green cages to prepare for the race.
At the signal, 10 horses run at full gallop towards the finishing line. Their hooves thunder on the racetrack, lifting dust as they go. Excitement among the crowd in the stands rises to fever pitch as the horses near the finishing line. Through loudspeakers, a commentator gives the position of each horse.
The race ends in about two minutes with laughing and shouts of joy from those whose bets won. The unlucky are loud, too. Some minutes later, the organizer announces the winning money at VND54,000 for those who bet on the first horse, and VND107,000 for those who selected a first and second for the pair horses. Attention then turned to the next race, with a new bout of excitement becoming apparent.
Usually there are eight races from noon till the evening, attracting nearly 8,000 people. Those who go just for sightseeing only, may feel bored because the races seem little different. But if newcomers join in the betting they become highly enthusiastic. It is clear that many people easily forget everything except their bets when they are at the race track.
Many horses have beautiful names and the newly imported horses bear foreign names. Royal Imposter is one. This has attracted more foreigners to Phu Tho Racecourse to join in the betting instead of just to sight see as before.
Phu Tho Racecourse has recently been upgraded. It now includes VIP rooms and tickets are sold using computers.
Races take place from noon to 5 p.m.
Admission is VND5 000.
VIP rooms cost VND50,000 and VND100,000.
